Recovering hydrochloric acid from nickel-chlorid solution



HORACE L. WELLS, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

RECOVERING HYDROCHLORIC ACID FROM NICKEL-CHLORID SOLUTION.

No Drawing.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentediNov. 16, 1909.

Application filed May 4, 1909. Serial No. 493,970.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Homer: L. News, a citizenof the tfnited States.residing at New Haven. in the county of New Haven and State ofConnecticut, have invented a new and useful Improved Method ofRecovering Hydrochloric Acid from Xickel-Chlorid Solution.

My invention relates 'to an improved method of recovering thehydrochloric acid from the nickel chlorid solution resulting from thetreatment of rich copper-nickel matte with hydrochloric acid for theseparation of the nickel and copper from the matte in accordance. withthe method set forth in my pending application filed Feb ruary 19, 1909,Serial No. 478,878. the object being to economitatlly recover thehydrochloric acid from the resulting nickel chlorid solution so that thehydrochloric acid may be used over and over again in the treatment ofmatte. i

Before proceeding to the description of the method forming my presentinvention, it may be well to state that; the method forming the subjectof my prior application. consists in pulverlzmg the matte and agitatingit with heated hydrochloric acid solution, and then progressivelytreating the resultlng solution and its derivatives with hydrochloricacid solution and its acid liquid derivatives.

In carrying out my present invention for recovering the hydrochlm'icacid from the nickel chlorid solution resulting from the prosecution ofthe method above referred to, I add to the nickel chlorid solutionsulfuric acid and ammonium sulfate in amounts calculated to correspondto the amount of .nickel presentin the nickel chlorid solution,

tion separated from this precipitate contains hydrochloric acidcorresponding to the nickel chlorid that has been changed tosulfate,together with the constituents of a small amount of nickel-ammoniumsulfate remaining dissolved in the liquid, and any excess of ammoniumsulfate and sulfuric acid that may have been added. over the amountrequired to form the double salt. This acid liquid can then be used forthe treatment of matte according to the method alreadydescribed. Thesmall amounts of ammonium sulfate and nickel sulfate present in thisliquid do not .interfere with this process, as they pass through itpractically -:unchanged and are ultimately recovered. A

considerable amount of sulfuric acid, which may be added intentionallyto this liquid as an excess .over the calculated amount. or which mayaccumulate from small increments by using the liquid over and over againin this process, Will not interfere with this process, since suchmixtures of hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid act upon matte withthe'forn'iation of nickel chlorid and nickel sulfate, and yield asolution very suitable for the precipitation of ammoniumnickel sulfateas herein described.

. I claim The herein described method of recoverin hydrochloric acidfrom the nickel chlorid so ution'produced by treating a matte containingnickel and copper sulfids with hydrochloric acid, in order that therecovered hydrochloric acid may be used again in treating such matte.which method consists in adding to the nickel chlorid solution theproper quantity of sulfuricacid and ammonium sulfate to form with thenickel chlorid present, the sparingly soluble salt known asmckelammonium sulfate, and separating the liquid from the resulting;precipitate.

.In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification in the presenceof two subscribing; witnesses.

HORACE L. WELLS.

Vitnesses:

FREDERIC C. Earns. CLARA L, VEED.

